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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Frontline providers frequently make time-sensitive antibiotic choices, but many feel poorly equipped to handle antibiotic allergies.OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that a digital decision support tool could improve antibiotic selection and confidence when managing beta lactam allergies.METHODS: A digital decision support tool was designed to guide non-allergist providers in management of patients with beta lactam allergy labels. Non-allergists were asked to make decisions in clinical test cases without, then with, the tool. These decisions were compared using paired t-tests. Users also completed surveys assessing their confidence in managing antibiotic allergies.RESULTS: The tool's algorithm was validated by confirming its recommendations aligned with that of five allergists. Non-allergist providers (n=102) made antibiotic management decisions in test cases, both with and without the tool. Use of the tool increased the proportion of correct decisions from 0.41 to 0.67, a difference of 0.26 (95% CI: 0.22-0.30, p<0.001). Users were more likely to give full-dose antibiotics in low-risk situations, give challenge doses in medium-risk situations, and avoid the antibiotic and/or consult Allergy in high-risk situations. Ninety-eight (96%) users said the tool would increase their confidence when choosing antibiotics for patients with allergies.CONCLUSION: A point-of-care clinical decision tool provides allergist-designed guidance to non-allergists and is a scalable system for addressing antibiotic allergies, irrespective of allergist availability. This tool encouraged appropriate antibiotic use in low- and medium-risk situations and increased caution in high-risk situations. A digital support tool should be considered in quality improvement and antibiotic stewardship efforts.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.01.026
View details for PubMedID 36736957